Page 550 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 June 1989
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a forum in which the public can be informed of what Ministers are up to. We made it clear that the 30-minute constraint was on the basis that their answers would be clear and concise, which is required by the standing orders - not on the basis that they ramble on about irrelevancies, not that they decline to answer the question at all, not that they try to avoid the question when a clear, legitimate question has been put.
I remind the Government that it is a minority government of five, and if it is not going to abide by the terms and conditions of agreements that we collectively make on this floor I can assure you, Mr Speaker, and I can assure the Chief Minister, that it will not remain a minority government for long. I do not think I need to say anything more. There is an opportunity here for a cooperative government, which is what this Government promised, an open government, a consultative government. Question time is clearly a part of that, and I for one expect the Government to live up to its commitment and obligation on that matter.
STANDING ORDERS - PROPOSED SUSPENSION
Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, I seek leave to move a motion about this afternoon's business.
Leave not granted.
Proposed Suspension of Standing Orders
Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, I move to suspend so much of standing orders as is necessary to suspend standing order 272 which allows only a Minister to suspend orders.
MR SPEAKER: But you cannot do that at this time, Mr Moore.
Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, I dissent from the Chair's ruling. May I speak to my dissent? What we have here, Mr Speaker, is a problem with the standing orders.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Moore, please resume your seat. The sitting is suspended. The chair will be resumed at 2.30.
Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, I moved dissent from your ruling.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Moore, I will address that question.
Sitting suspended from 12.20 to 2.30 pm
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